After an intense bout of activity and a sumptuous meal that Chu Chu had prepared with care, Xiang Ri lay contentedly on the sofa, picking his teeth as he watched TV.
"Aren't you feeling dizzy? Why haven't you gone to sleep yet?" Chu Chu asked as she emerged from the kitchen, having just finished the dishes.
"Dizzy? Not at all! I feel more energized than ever," Xiang Ri replied, his eyes lighting up as he admired Chu Chu, who had changed into a new dress. He patted the seat beside him invitingly. "Come over here, darling, sit with me."
"What's the matter? Are you up to something sneaky again?" Chu Chu replied, yet she sat down beside him despite her words.
"Sweetheart!" Xiang Ri drew her into his arms, planting a kiss on her soft, fair cheek. "Since we have no classes today, what shall we do at home?"
Chu Chu blushed and broke free from his embrace, her shyness evident even after they had shared more intimate moments. "I have plans to visit a friend later."
"And who's more important—your friend or your husband?" Xiang Ri muttered with a note of displeasure.
"Oh, stop that! We already made plans; I can't just bail on her. Besides, why don't you come along with me?" Chu Chu looked at him expectantly.
"No way!" Xiang Ri declined outright. He had always loathed such social events.
"Please, come on, just this once?" Chu Chu's pleading voice was so sweet it could make anyone cringe.
"I don't usually do things that come without benefits." Seizing the chance, Xiang Ri tried to tease her as she pouted.
"You jerk! I already let you get your way, and now you're still provoking me!" Chu Chu exclaimed, throwing a pillow at him.
"Fine, fine, I'll go. But only if you agree to one condition." Xiang Ri grinned mischievously.
"What condition?"
"Tonight, you'll do exactly as I say. No complaints. Agree, and I'll go."
"Ugh, you're impossible!" Chu Chu stomped her foot and stormed into the bedroom. "Forget it, I'll go alone. You can just sit here and watch me get bullied to death."
"Hey, sweetheart, are you really that unhappy with me?" Xiang Ri lazily propped his legs on the coffee table. "Seeing how pitiful you look, I guess I'll accompany you."
"Really?" Chu Chu poked her head out, surprised and delighted. "And you're not getting anything out of it!"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it! You think your husband is that shallow?"
"Ugh, just hurry up and change; you're embarrassing me dressed like that." Chu Chu couldn't help but complain.
"Can't I just go like this?" Xiang Ri moaned theatrically.
"Fine, but don't expect me to acknowledge you later!" Chu Chu muttered angrily.
"Alright, alright, you win," Xiang Ri relented, jumping up from the sofa.
"Why are you bringing me to this school?" Xiang Ri followed Chu Chu into the university, feeling bewildered. He knew this wasn't a typical venue for gatherings, and it wasn't even the weekend. He remembered that in the past, whenever he'd visited friends at other schools, they'd usually drag him to their classes, which he found a painfully dull experience. The idea of skipping his own classes only to sit through someone else's had always put him off, and eventually, he'd opted to stay in his dorm rather than be dragged into such outings.
Some people, however, seemed to enjoy attending classes at other schools, claiming that the change of scenery was thrilling. Xiang Ri observed Chu Chu's graceful figure as she walked ahead and couldn't help but smile to himself. Maybe she was one of those people? If he'd known, he might not have come.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm meeting a friend," Chu Chu said, glancing back at him before continuing on.
Xiang Ri rubbed his nose, staying silent. Oh well, he thought. He would endure it for her sake—and maybe collect on it later tonight.
The paths were lined with lush trees, and in the distance, he could see a small pavilion, a place where students often gathered to cool off in the summer, share stories, scheme, and flirt. Not far to the left, there was a lake, once a perfect spot for shrimp fishing and an ideal setting for couples to stroll hand-in-hand. Up ahead stood a six-story building, and he wondered if the words once carved on Room 314's wall—"Share joy in fortune, endure hardship together"—were still there. Taking in these familiar sights, Xiang Ri was flooded with nostalgia. Ten years had passed, and yet the school hadn't changed much at all.
"Can't you walk a bit faster?" Chu Chu chided, glancing back.
"If only you'd say that in bed, I'd be in heaven," Xiang Ri quipped, quickly catching up.
"Get lost!" Chu Chu's cheeks flushed, and though no one was around to hear, she decided to ignore the rogue beside her.
"And what would you do if I really left you?" Xiang Ri teased, gently clasping her hand. "Where are we headed, anyway?"
"Up ahead!" Chu Chu withdrew her hand, pointing to the end of the path.
"The basketball court?" Xiang Ri asked, suspicion in his voice. "You're meeting your friend here?"
"Yes, is that a problem? And just so you know, she loves basketball. So when you talk, you'd better act like you're a big fan too—unless you want me to starve you tonight!" Chu Chu warned.
"Your friend's a guy?" Xiang Ri's face darkened.
"Of course not! Don't get jealous over nothing. She's the manager of the school basketball team—mmph!"
Xiang Ri silenced her unfinished sentence with a deep kiss.
"You rascal! Trying to suffocate me? Lucky for you, there's no one around! Next time you pull that, I'll—" Chu Chu raised a small fist, playfully hitting his chest.
"Or you'll what? Ban me from the bed? Make me kneel on a washboard?" Xiang Ri held her waist, laughing mischievously.
"Let go of me! We're almost there, and there are people around."
"A kiss first!"
"Get lost…"
"Chu Chu, finally! I thought you wouldn't show!" Just as they entered the gym, a tall, shapely woman in thigh-high denim shorts and a loose shirt hurried toward them.
"Who said that? When have I ever backed out of a promise?" Chu Chu replied indignantly.
"Alright, alright, my mistake! Oh, and who's this?" the woman asked, eyeing the bespectacled, scholarly man by Chu Chu's side.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Xiang Kui. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Xiang Ri greeted her courteously, extending his hand before Chu Chu could reply.
"So, you're Chu Chu's boyfriend?" The woman's eyes widened, lightly shaking his hand. "She's been talking about you a lot lately! You must be something special to win over the high school queen so quickly. Oh, by the way, no need for formalities; I'm Shen Peipei, Chu Chu's best friend. Feel free to call me Peipei."
"Thank you, I'd be honored," Xiang Ri replied with a gentlemanly smile.
"Quit being so polite!" Chu Chu finally interjected, casting him a sidelong glance before addressing her friend. "Peipei, weren't we supposed to be helping you with something today? Where's the person you mentioned?"
"Follow me; he's easy to spot—the one in the number 10 jersey," Shen Peipei said, leading the way.
"What's going on?" Xiang Ri asked quietly as they followed her.
"Some guy's been chasing Peipei for a year, but she's undecided, so she called me for advice," Chu Chu explained.
"The guy in the number 10 jersey?" Xiang Ri pointed to the court, where a tall, athletic man with a tan and a sunny smile was effortlessly commanding attention. Xiang Ri had to admit the man was charming, yet for some reason, he felt a pang of irritation just looking at him. Was it jealousy? Ridiculous!
"Looks like it. I haven't met him either, but he seems decent enough—maybe just right for Peipei," Chu Chu remarked, eyeing the player.
"Decent? He's got nothing on your husband," Xiang Ri muttered, his tone thick with sarcasm.
"Oh, here you go ag—" Chu Chu stopped herself, seeing the mischievous glint in his eye.
"Sweetheart, I wouldn't mind kissing you right here in public."
"You're infuriating!" Chu Chu huffed, tossing her ponytail and striding ahead.
"Hey, you guys, get up! There's a lady here, give her a seat!" Shen Peipei called to the players on the bench.
"Yes, yes!" The men, who had already noticed the beauty even more attractive than their "Boss Shen," hastily offered seats, despite her companion in glasses.
"Please, have a seat," one of them offered.
"Thank you!" Chu Chu replied with a graceful smile, sitting down confidently.
The men edged closer, eager to sit beside her, but someone else was quicker, taking the spot next to her and subtly shifting her to the bench's edge, effectively warding off any other admirers. The culprit? The bespectacled man, who feigned innocence as the others seethed in frustration.
Xiang Ri ignored their murderous glares, casually draping an arm around Chu Chu's shoulder and drawing her close.
"Xiang Kui," Chu Chu whispered, flustered by his obvious possessiveness, though secretly delighted.
"You two are really something!" Shen Peipei's voice was tinged with both envy and amusement. She glanced at the players, her expression half-taunting. "Everyone, this is my friend Chu Chu. Isn't she gorgeous? But you can all give up now because the man beside her is her boyfriend! Wahaha..."
"Your friend is from an institute, right?" Xiang Ri whispered in Chu Chu's ear, suppressing a chuckle.
"Institute? What institute? I have no idea what you're talking about," Chu Chu replied, looking puzzled.
"The Institute for the Study of Extraordinary Beings."